KAIOLOHIA

Approximate driving time from Lana‘i City: 1 hour R/T

Also named “Shipwreck Beach”

As you leave the service station, turn right on Lana‘i Avenue and continue through the center of Lana‘i City, past the Lodge at Koele. Stay on the paved road and descend down the north side of the mountain toward the coast line. You will notice how dry the landscape around you appears. This side of Lana‘i receives less than 10 inches of rain per year, much of that at one time, usually during January or February. Turn left on the sandy road at the end of the pavement. You’ll pass some old structures off to your right. These structures, built in the 1930’s are all that is left of an area known as “Federation Camp”. Some of these buildings are still used by Lana‘i residents for weekend visits. There is lots of good fishing along this stretch of coastline. This road ends at the turn-around about 1.5 miles from the paved road. Take a short hike toward the shipwreck and you’ll find a cement foundation for a light house which used to stand here. This is a great spot for a shot of the rusty liberty ship. After the second World War, the Navy attempted to sink this ship in the Kalohi Channel. It refused to cooperate and came to rest on the reef.

This is also a great location for beach combing as the tradewinds bring all kinds of desirable (and undesirable) plunder to this shore line. When the trade winds are absent, the water is quite clear. However, most commonly, the strong trade winds which come down the Au‘au channel between Maui and Moloka‘i at 15 to 30 miles per hour will turn the water murky.

Petroglyphs—Ancient Hawai‘ian Rock drawings

For a view of the petroglyphs, follow a trail south of the lighthouse foundation. Some splotches of white paint will confirm that you’re on the right trail. After about 200 paces, you’ll find a large rock with a thoughtful warning painted on it. Please follow the instructions. As you climb down the slope, immediately look on your right. Multiple petroglyphs are visible all around that area. Look closely, but please do not touch.